Bursting Bubbles, PlayFestival, and Missionary Stories

​Bursting Bubbles Project

​PlayBuilders is currently working with recovering survivors of domestic violence, meeting once a week, sharing stories while working on a collaborative play that will educate the public regarding this very complex topic.

Two years ago, domestic violence survivor and author of the self-published book, "Falling Perfectly Without Trying", Jenny Duhaylonsod Delos Santos, approached PlayBuilders executive director, Terri Madden, about doing a play with and for the domestic violence community. Terri  instead tried to help Jenny to write her own play.  Jenny joined a playwriting class taught by Terri, but eventually said that with everything going on in her life, it was too difficult and really needed for PlayBuilders to take this on as a project. Terri eventually agreed.  Jenny's book and her life are the inspiration and cornerstone of the Bursting Bubbles Project.

Since then, Terri has interviewed over 20 women currently living in Hawaii who have experienced domestic violence. Some of these women are professionals, some have been incarcerated, others have difficulty finding employment because they are still struggling. She commissioned Laura Clark Greaver to head the "Bursting Bubbles" writing team which includes, Cindy Ramirez,  Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak, Lauren Ballesteros, and Deanna Espinas. Laura will also direct the play. Members of the PlayBuilders Ensemble, who will be performing alongside community members include Mala Sylvester, Misa Sione, and Becky McGarvey. We have been holding special workshops/ story circles with survivors once a week at the ARTS at Marks Garage  for about a year, and are currently in the writing phase.

​Please donate today! To date we have raised almost $10,000 towards producing this play. The play is set to run in October 2020, during Domestic Violence Awareness, at the ARTS at Marks Garage. We also plan to tour it to local churches, high schools, and are also hoping to get permission to take it to Kailua Women's Community Correctional Center. Your gift will help to empower survivors and transform communities.

​                                                                                    ###
​"As a psychologist who has worked with survivors, I found my heart caught in my throat multiple times...there was a healing that occurred" - Dr. Gwen Williams regarding #MeToo Survivors Circle

"Its important work - not just entertainment. Something changes when you perform your own story and hear other peopleʻs" - Survivor and Performer. #MeToo Survivors Circle.

---

​The PlayBuilders Festival- Submission Window is Now Open!

PlayBuilders announces the submission window is now open for the 9th Annual PlayFestival. Please send your full or one act length plays to [email protected].

We need help with organizing so those playwrights who are not submitting this year, please contact Terri at [email protected] to join this year’s organizing committee.

We want your thoughts on how this should be run.

Teachers! If you have students who are interested in writing plays, and would like a volunteer playwright to come to your classroom to discuss playwriting with them please give me a call, and remember, We always welcome new talent to The PlayBuilders Festival!

Terri can be reached at 808-218-0103

---

​Did you know?

Marion Lyman Mersereau, winner of the 2011 PlayFestival and author of the play and childrenʻs book, "Eddie Wen Go" has been commissioned to write "Open Your Hearts Wide" a play written with and for Hawaiiʻs missionary descendents. Here she is pictured with Steven Wagenseller who directed "Eddie Wen Go" and two young actors who performed in the reading with their mom.

If you have a missionary story to share, please let us know by emailing Terri at [email protected]